Pumpkin purée gives this Pumpkin Gingerbread Cookie recipe extra Halloween street cred. These vegan cookies also pack a combination of barley malt syrup and molasses enhanced with ginger, nutmeg, cloves and just the right amount of vanilla extract for a scary good flavor.

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda

2/3 cup sugar
¼ cup + 1 Tablespoon (67 grams) Regular Vegan Butter or non-hydrogenated stick margarine, softened
¼ cup + 1 Tablespoon pumpkin purée
½ cup molasses
¼ cup barley malt syrup
1 ½ teaspoons ginger powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¾ teaspoon cinnamon
¾ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon cloves

1)
Preheat oven to 350F (177C).  In a medium size bowl whisk together the all-purpose flour and baking soda.  Set aside.

2)
In another medium size bowl mix together the sugar, Vegan Butter, pumpkin purée, molasses, barley malt syrup, ginger powder, salt, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.

3)
Pour half of the flour into the bowl containing the wet ingredients and mix with a spoon until well incorporated.  Pour the other half of the flour and mix with with a spoon until well incorporated.  It's normal for the dough to feel really thick at this point and you may have to mix with your hands.

4)
Lightly dust a silicone baking mat or pastry cloth with flour.  Form the dough into a ball and roll into a 1/3 inch thick flat disc.  Use a cookie cutter to cut the dough into shape and put the cookies on a lightly oiled or parchment paper covered cookie sheet.  Be sure to dust your baking mat or pastry cloth and rolling pin with flour every time you regather the dough into a ball and roll it out again.  Lightly dusting a spatula and sliding it under the dough after you cut it with the cutter will help you lift the cookie and transfer it to the cookie sheet.

5)
Bake for 17 minutes.  If using two cookie sheets, switch the sheets on the oven racks halfway through the baking time to ensure that the cookies are evenly cooked. 
Makes about 15 cookies depending on the size of your cookie cutter.